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Leslie: I have had many RN's to evaluate. However, "peak" earnings may be a lawyers  tricky question. Ask why the term peak?

An economist who has done presentations over many years did a study and publication in the Journal of Forensic Economics (1986), It is called the "Age-Earning Cycle". Dr. Everett Dillman, PhD from El Paso, Tx. He is 91 and still practicing !

Dillman found that most works earn the most up to age 60 then experience a small decline until retirement. It is an old study but perhaps has some useful considerations.

I consider issues such as:

1. At 60 most worker have demonstrated the career they liked or had the most tenure at. Rarely do people go to college at 60+ for advanced degrees. Mostly we see wage growth annually, be it inflation factors or wage increases to reward more experience and or loyalty.
2. At 60, most of us who reproduced (ya, kids!) they are often out of the home, maybe college or whatever, paid for and motivation to earn more declines. It did for me.
3. Hopefully, your Mortgage is paid off.  The Old French work literally comes from "Dead Pledge", mort meaning death in French, "gage" being pledge. Lovely thought!  Mortgage is often the most expensive thing we obligate so if it is retired, perhaps your mojo is reduced.  Why run so fast?
4. Some folks at 60, esp. in physically demanding work, slow down and may not do the overtime or long work hours in the 20-50's. Nurses now work 12-hour shifts commonly. Try standing or walking most of 12 hours as one ages.
5. OK, Nurses.... I would focus on. what he/she worked in, clinic? Hospital? Traveling Nurse? Admin.? And total years of experience coupled with education. AA as RN vs. BSN vs. MSN.
6. I asked a nurse in the ER, just last week, how the nurses were compensated at a large Seattle trauma center. It is UNION and they add more for advanced education and experience.  You may want to call the regional Nurses Union. Then, compare to published wages on the BLS.

John F. Berg

Happy Holidays

Seattle, WA